Special Olympics athletes prepare for equestrian competition

Emily Alexander, 11, rides Jure during a class at the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association's Greenway Facility on Saturday, March 16, in Ocala, Florida. Alexander will be competing in the Special Olympics on April 6.

Lee Ferinden/The Ocala Star-Banner 2013

By Kathy MancilCorrespondent

Published: Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 8:41 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 8:41 p.m.

When Jack Wheeler, 10, first arrived for his horseback training session at Marion Therapeutic Riding Association's Greenway facility last week, he did not seem very enthused. About halfway through the lesson, after being prompted a few times by his teacher to give his horse voice commands, such as “walk on,” “trot,” and, most important, “whoa,” Jack was all smiles. By the end of the lesson, he was blowing kisses to his equine friend, Kayla, as he told her goodbye.

“He is very shy and quiet around crowds,” said Jack's mother, Noreen Wheeler, who noted that he has Down syndrome.

Jack is one of 12 athletes from MTRA scheduled to participate in this year's Area 4 Special Olympics Equestrian Games. The competition, which is a qualifier for state games, is being held April 6 at the Stirrups ‘n Strides Therapeutic Riding Center in Citra.

Jack often talks about horse-back riding, especially to his two brothers, “and we do talk about Special Olympics, but he doesn't have a real good concept of time. I think he realizes it once we get there,” Wheeler said.

Jack has participated twice before, but never made it to state competition, she said.

Qualifying for state is not the important part of training for Special Olympics anyway, said Lynn Brantley, Marion County's Special Olympics coordinator.

“We encourage athletes to go for the goal, not the gold,” she said. “It's quite an accomplishment simply for equestrian athletes to participate because they must train, not only themselves, but the animal as well.”

She explained that names of athletes who win first-place blue ribbons at area games go into a lottery drawing to go to state games, which will be held in Tampa in May.

“The state can only accommodate so many athletes,” she said, noting that the number for this year has not yet been released.

The competition is open to riders, ages 8 and up, who have intellectual disabilities. Some may also be physically disabled, said Brantley, but they must be intellectually disabled in some way. There also is a minimum requirement for equestrian training hours, said Laurie Bruun, executive director at MTRA.

One of her riders, Julieanna “JuJu” Dennis, 12, who has cerebral palsy, would love to participate, but she does not have enough training hours.

JuJu's mother, Stephany Dennis, said her daughter has only been horseback riding for a few weeks, but participated in Special Olympics two years ago as a bicyclist. She said JuJu won first place at her school and went on to regional competition, where she placed second in her division.

“It builds their esteem so much,” said Stephany Dennis. “And the parents need it, too. It's very encouraging for us to see our kids doing things normal kids do, like riding a bike or riding a horse.”

Brantley said this year is the 41st that Marion County has had Special Olympics events.

“We try to make the event exciting,” said Betty Gray, director of Stirrups ‘n Strides, which has 21 riders slated to compete in the area games. Another therapeutic riding program, Tomorrow's Equestrian Center in Williston, has eight riders slated to participate.

Gray said three rings will be set-up for competition — a trail ring, an equitation ring and a dressage ring.

“This is a real horse show for the riders,” she said, adding that entertainment including professional trick riders and a high-school dressage demonstration will be offered around noon, during a 45-minute lunch break. Admission to the event is free and food will be for sale in the food court, Gray said.

The public is “certainly welcome,” she said. “We expect at least 100 to 150 friends and family members in attendance, but the more people who show up to cheer on the riders, the better.”

<p>When Jack Wheeler, 10, first arrived for his horseback training session at Marion Therapeutic Riding Association's Greenway facility last week, he did not seem very enthused. About halfway through the lesson, after being prompted a few times by his teacher to give his horse voice commands, such as “walk on,” “trot,” and, most important, “whoa,” Jack was all smiles. By the end of the lesson, he was blowing kisses to his equine friend, Kayla, as he told her goodbye.</p><p>“He is very shy and quiet around crowds,” said Jack's mother, Noreen Wheeler, who noted that he has Down syndrome.</p><p>Jack is one of 12 athletes from MTRA scheduled to participate in this year's Area 4 Special Olympics Equestrian Games. The competition, which is a qualifier for state games, is being held April 6 at the Stirrups 'n Strides Therapeutic Riding Center in Citra.</p><p>Jack often talks about horse-back riding, especially to his two brothers, “and we do talk about Special Olympics, but he doesn't have a real good concept of time. I think he realizes it once we get there,” Wheeler said.</p><p>Jack has participated twice before, but never made it to state competition, she said.</p><p>Qualifying for state is not the important part of training for Special Olympics anyway, said Lynn Brantley, Marion County's Special Olympics coordinator.</p><p>“We encourage athletes to go for the goal, not the gold,” she said. “It's quite an accomplishment simply for equestrian athletes to participate because they must train, not only themselves, but the animal as well.”</p><p>She explained that names of athletes who win first-place blue ribbons at area games go into a lottery drawing to go to state games, which will be held in Tampa in May.</p><p>“The state can only accommodate so many athletes,” she said, noting that the number for this year has not yet been released.</p><p>The competition is open to riders, ages 8 and up, who have intellectual disabilities. Some may also be physically disabled, said Brantley, but they must be intellectually disabled in some way. There also is a minimum requirement for equestrian training hours, said Laurie Bruun, executive director at MTRA.</p><p>One of her riders, Julieanna “JuJu” Dennis, 12, who has cerebral palsy, would love to participate, but she does not have enough training hours.</p><p>JuJu's mother, Stephany Dennis, said her daughter has only been horseback riding for a few weeks, but participated in Special Olympics two years ago as a bicyclist. She said JuJu won first place at her school and went on to regional competition, where she placed second in her division.</p><p>“It builds their esteem so much,” said Stephany Dennis. “And the parents need it, too. It's very encouraging for us to see our kids doing things normal kids do, like riding a bike or riding a horse.”</p><p>Brantley said this year is the 41st that Marion County has had Special Olympics events.</p><p>“We try to make the event exciting,” said Betty Gray, director of Stirrups 'n Strides, which has 21 riders slated to compete in the area games. Another therapeutic riding program, Tomorrow's Equestrian Center in Williston, has eight riders slated to participate.</p><p>Gray said three rings will be set-up for competition — a trail ring, an equitation ring and a dressage ring.</p><p>“This is a real horse show for the riders,” she said, adding that entertainment including professional trick riders and a high-school dressage demonstration will be offered around noon, during a 45-minute lunch break. Admission to the event is free and food will be for sale in the food court, Gray said.</p><p>The public is “certainly welcome,” she said. “We expect at least 100 to 150 friends and family members in attendance, but the more people who show up to cheer on the riders, the better.”</p>